Chelsea’s reign of Thomas Tuchel, the 15th separate tenure under Roman Abramovich, began with a thistle rather than a bang on Wednesday night.
Wolves’ goalless draw at home was not a dream opening, although the German manager – who used to win at canter most weeks with PSG – would have been satisfied with his team’s performance .
After taking just one training session with his new side, Tuchel saw players promise to push up on the pitch, able to hold the ball comfortably and firmly in defensive form. new.
Thomas Tuchel saw his Chelsea side pull at home to Wolves in his first game as a lead
The Blues had nearly 80 percent of the ball unable to find their way through the Wolves defense
‘I really enjoyed it because I was very pleased with the intensity, vision, energy and quality of my team,’ Tuchel said afterwards. ‘We were well organized, we got a lot of ball rebounds in the final third, there was never an intense shortage.
‘We stepped up minute after minute in the second half. I was very happy with performance, unfortunately we could not score, if we look at our performance this is how the results come. ‘
The results must come quickly as well, with the Blues five points off the top four. But, from his first 90 minutes as lead, what have we learned about Tuchel and his plans to shake things up over the next few months at Stamford Bridge?
SWITCH TO BACK THREE WORKS
Tuchel’s first bias in the spring in his team selection came an hour and a half before he started.
News broke that Chelsea would play three at the back, with captain Cesar Azpilicueta in one of the major cities along with the two experienced Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva.
On the left? Mount Chilwell, as would be expected. On the right side? Calum Hudson-Odoi, in a dramatic change of position, watched by Reece James.
Nevertheless, it worked. The Blues limited the visitors – with speed to shoot on the rebound by Adama Traore and Pedro Neto – to just four hits, none of which were on target.
Thiago Silva (L) and Antonio Rudiger (R) started in goal three for Chelsea on Wednesday
Nonetheless, Chilwell missed, playing a little later in a left-back position compared to a left-back, foolishly in the second half and has to hit the ground running with his new manager, especially with Marcos Alonso – frozen out under Lampard – now waiting in the wings.
As for Hudson-Odoi …
INCLUDING IN RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNUSUAL WING-BACK
The 20-year-old Huson-Odoi, who had just made three league starts all season under Lampard, may be the most impressive inclusion in the starting XI – but perhaps more so for his career.
With club captain Azpilicueta pushing more midfield and James looking over, Hudson-Odoi started at right back, up against a number opposite Rayan Ait-Nouri.
But despite their rarity, the England international shone with clear blasts at a pace going forward along with a commendable level of work over 90 minutes.
Callum Hudson-Odoi played at right back but was impressive in an unfamiliar situation
After being turned over to the left on 76 minutes, he even put a good save out of Rui Patricio and lately made a final ditch tackle from Leander Dendoncker in the box, after 50 yards of plucking to get over it.
For a player with such great talent, Lampard as manager – for one reason or another – never reached Hudson-Odoi’s promising start in the first team.
Whether in a backup role or in a more advanced position, Hudson-Odoi now appear to be playing a key role in Tuchel’s plans to get Chelsea’s season back on track.
STATE OF POSSESSION GETTING ON A CREATIVE SITE
The numbers going around Wednesday night ‘s game make the lack of disappointment even worse for the new man in the hotseat.
Tuchel cut a lively figure on the handline as he watched his new team get the better of the ball and make 820 passes – the highest number in a Premier League game. this season.
Chelsea also finished a total of 433 passes in the opening half, their most in the first half of a Premier League game since at least the 2003-04 campaign.
And yet, for those 79 percent properties and 92 percent past completion rate, there are no targets.
Mateo Kovacic (L) and Jorginho were effective in midfield but that was not enough
The Germans opted to start with Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic in midfield and although they were effective with and without the ball, the pair lacked a creative spark against the Wolves’ deep side.
Too often, passes were made with the eye of keeping the ball, instead of perhaps something more confident in finding a winner.
With N’Golo Kante currently out with a leg injury, could Mason Mount fall into a deeper position – or maybe even Kai Havertz? Either way, the duo didn’t have that important killing instinct on Wednesday night.
MOUNT AND PULISIC INCLUDE
Although Christian Pulisic and Mount only played for 14 and seven minutes apart as late substitutes, the young pair showed just what Tuchel needed.
Pulisic, with Hakim Ziyech leading in the starting XI, was a livewire after a wide introduction on the right side, even more so when Mount came on seven minutes later to work together.
Tuchel shakes hands with Mason Mount after the game in which he won late
Mount skillfully blew into the box late with a slow fall on the shoulder, and the American Pulisic player caused problems as well.
The two will rule something this season under Lampard – Mount in particular – the 22-year-old puts their hands up with their late cameos. Could he have introduced Tuchel earlier?
Either way, they’ll be hard to keep out of the starting XI against Burnley at lunchtime on Sunday.
YOUTH RESULTS – FOR NOW
As Tuchel said beforehand, a move towards knowledge instead of adolescence could be a sign of things to come to seize the Chelsea situation.
‘This is probably the most unfair line we make because there is no reason to give it to the players who are not in the line. Of course we opted for a little more experience today, ‘he said before the aimless draw.
‘We’re in a moment that’s not easy as we step in half way through the season and the place where we are is not where we should be in the table. Expectations are high so we went for some experience. ‘
Azpilicueta, Rudiger and Silva are 94 years old at the back, with Kurt Zouma and Reece James unfunded.
Cesar Azpilicueta played among the three back in Tuchel’s familiar first line
Although Tammy Abraham, despite scoring a hat-trick at the weekend, only appeared as a late substitute.
Billy Gilmour was also an unused substitute, and Mount, Pulisic and Tammy Abraham started on the bench as well – preferring senior statesman Olivier Giroud in front.
The Blues have a wide range of young talent, no doubt. But with the need to get results as an immediate priority, the German may choose those with years of first-team experience to get back into winning ways.
Twenty-four hours is too short a time to fully judge Tuchel’s way of thinking. Upcoming games against Burnley, Tottenham and Sheffield United will give us a clearer picture.